Bespoke Hotel Shinjuku

There were lots of places nearby for grabbing food or sitting down to eat, and the staff were very nice. Someone always spoke English. I’d stay here again. For the price, there’s a lot going for this hotel, especially its location in Shinjuku. It’s around the corner from the heavy nightlife, so you’re close without having to step straight into it. They kept free water bottles at the front desk, plus free donuts, hot chocolate, and coffee all day. Breakfast was included each morning, with assorted pastries, donuts, and a small but great yogurt selection. To-go boxes were always available, and they lent out umbrellas for free. The 24-hour coin laundry worked well too. The rooms are small, like most in Tokyo, but stocked with a refrigerator, safe, hot water pot, and toiletries. The hotel doesn’t look recently updated, though it’s not especially old and was very clean. Some furnishings seemed to have been updated at some point.

The location puts you as close to Kabukicho as you might want to be without actually staying in it. The rooms were neat, modern, and upscale. The service was seven star. They had coffee and donuts all day, daily happy hours with a great selection of liquor you could help yourself to, and free water bottles and amenity kits whenever you needed them. Breakfast was modest. The staff were extremely polite and helpful, among the best I’ve met.

I travel a lot, and this is a hotel I loved. The service was impeccable, the room was clean, and the beds were comfortable. Coffee and mini donuts were available all day and night, and both the great breakfast selection and what they call Free Flow were included in the room price. Aussies call that happy hour. There are several convenience stores on the block, a Mc Donald's at the intersection, and an entrance to the local subway. The main train station, said to be the biggest in the world, is a 10 minute walk in the other direction. There’s great shopping nearby and a mix of Western and Asian cafes on the block. I’ve already recommended the hotel to friends, family, and coworkers, and I’ll stay there again when I return.

The location was one of the best parts. It’s just outside the noisier, chaotic center of Shinjuku, but close to good food, bars, and several train stops for getting around Tokyo. The rooms are small and basic, as is standard in Japan, but they were clean and well kept. Simple complimentary continental breakfast, a free happy hour in the lobby lounge, and bottles of water ready to pick up were the little touches that made the stay especially enjoyable. Some of the front desk staff weren’t very warm or attentive, though it didn’t get in the way of our stay. I can’t really judge affordability since we booked on the day and paid a premium, but if it fits your budget and service needs, I’d consider it. I’d recommend bespoke, especially for a first trip to Tokyo.